The state urban development ministry should have a separate full-time minister to do justice to this crucial and important department, say some.
Who doesn't want CM to keep the ministry?
According to the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI) and urban planners, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should not keep the urban development ministry with him, along with several major portfolios. "As a CM, Fadnavis will not able to give adequate time and do justice to this department in the next five years," said Arvind Goel, MCHI president (Navi Mumbai unit).
Why don't they want Fadnavis in charge of it?
"The CM's predecessors too kept this crucial department with them, but failed to do justice to it. That caused delay in approving files and framing policies. As a result, it was ultimately the common man who suffered and didn't get the house on time," said Goel.
What's their suggestion then?
"Prime minister Narendra Modi has been talking about developing 100 smart cities by 2020. So, the CM should allot the department to someone who has the knowledge and expertise on urban development, and understands the development control rules," said a developer.
Senior architect and urban planner Milind Samel, on the other hand, said the person handling urban development ministry should not have any other portfolio to look after. "The CM can handle the ministry, but approval (to proposals) should be speedy, because delay escalates cost of projects. And developers recover this increased cost from buyers, so in the end, it is they who suffer the most. Fast-tracking the approval procedure will boost the industry in the real sense," he added.
A make-or-break department?
Another developer told dna, "CM and his party must be planning to earn back the money they squandered on the election campaign, hence, they will not give this ministry to someone untrustworthy. UD is a make-or-break department. Ashok Chavan lost his job because of it, while Prithviraj Chavan kept his clean image but in the end spoilt it by approving a record number of proposals without any study. So, UD is a very sensitive department to handle," said the developer.
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